The living room is a multifunctional space where we relax, socialise, and maybe work or pursue hobbies. Therefore it benefits from a thoughtful lighting scheme that is both practical and elegant. Lighting can be an overlooked element of interior design, but it’s a crucial ingredient to ensure that your space is welcoming and always looks its best.
Here are some top tips to create a contemporary but classic lighting design scheme.
Think in layers
To have light that is both functional and pleasing to the eye, it’s necessary to have more than one source of light. A good rule of thumb is to start with ambient lighting, which is the overhead light source.
This can be from one or more ceiling pendant fixtures, hung in a central position. Pendant lights can also be decorative and a focal point of the room, such as a chandelier or a modern sculptural design. If you prefer a sleek and minimalist look, ceiling lighting can be recessed to allow other lighting features to come to the fore, or a mixture of both in a larger room.
You may wish to add some downlighting to sweep light over the walls and bring warmth to the room. Next, consider accent lighting to highlight certain features such as artworks or architectural details. These will typically be wall-mounted fixtures or spotlights.
Finally, add some task lighting for reading, hobbies, or whatever your requirements are. This could include table lamps, floor lamps, or wall sconces.
When choosing a table lamp, consider the size of the table it will be placed on, so that the lamp neither overwhelms the furniture or looks too small and lost. Floor lamps are useful to bring light to shadowy corners of the room and balance out the overall dimensions.